Tablet dispenser with rotary, axial inlet-outlet trap chamber



July 11, 1967 D. J. OCONNOR 3,330,442

TABLET DISPENSER WITH ROTARY. AXIAL INLET-OUTLET TRAP CHAMBER Filed Aug.18, 1965 P M migwillw I 1.17 r lulllll lllL llllln'y'fl INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,330,442 TABLET DISPENSER WITH ROTARY, AXIALINLET-OUTLET TRAP CHAMBER Donal J. OConnor, Chicago, Ill., assignor toMorton International, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of DelawareFiled Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,567 5 Claims. (Cl. 221265) Thisinvention relates to improvements in dispensers for tablets such as salttablets and the like.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide a tablet dispenserwhich is convenient to use, which accurately delivers a desired numberof tablets and which is characterized by its simplicity of construction.The present tablet dispenser involves a minimum number of parts whichcan be molded from a variety of suitable plastic materials and which canbe readily assembled in operative relationship. Manufacturing costs ofthe tablet dispenser can therefore be maintained at a minimum.

The advantages and special features of the tablet dispenser will bereadily apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings wherein:

FIGURE I is a side view of the assembled tablet dispenser with partsbroken away to show in section the major parts thereof.

FIG. II is a bottom detailed view of the shell which forms the tabletreceptacle.

FIG. III is a detailed plan view of the tablet delivery disk.

FIG. IV is a perspective view of the rotatable knob through which thetablets are dispensed.

Referring to the drawings, the receptacle for the tablets is in the formof a tapered shell having an open top for which there is provided aremovable top or cover 11. The cover 11 is of sutficient size toslidably engage the receptacle and to close the opening. The bottom wall12 of shell 11 is provided with a central aperture 13 and a tablet'discharge opening 14 located adjacent the circumference thereof. Anintegral shield or tab 15 projects inwardly from the wall of the shellabove the discharge opening 14 to prevent tablets from fallingtherethrough.

The tablet delivery disk 16 is in the form of a circular dome 17 havinga plurality of radial projections or tablet fingers 18 which uponrotation of the delivery disk carry a tablet under the shield 15 andinto registry with the discharge opening 14. Depending from the centralpart of the dome 17 is bushing 19 which projects through the centralaperture 13 on the bottom wall of shell 11. The bushing 19 in oneembodiment of the invention is provided with an opening for reception ofa self-tapping screw 25.

The remaining essential component of the tablet dispenser is a manuallyrotatable cup-shaped dispensing knob 20 having a tablet outlet opening21 in its bottom. Supported in the top central portion of the dispensingknob, by means of radially extending ribs 22, is a hub 23 which isadapted to be journaled onto bushing 19. In the embodiment shown, fourradially extending ribs 22 spaced at 90 angles are employed, althoughthe number of such ribs can be varied, The hub 23 is also provided witha central vertical opening 24 up through which screw 25 extends. Thescrew 25 is turned up tight so that the dispensing knob is rigidlysecured to the bushing 19 so that the tablet delivery disk 16 rotateswhenever dispensing knob 20 is rotated. It will be appreciated that thedispensing knob can be rigidly secured to the bushing 19 by other thanscrew means, such as, for example, by spin welding, ultrasonic sealingor fusion through the use of adhesives. These latter means would obviatethe requirement for screw 25. The outside of the dispensing knob3,330,442 Patented July 11, 1967 ice 20 may be provided with ribs 32 forstructural reinforcement and which also assist in turning the knob.

In order to accurately regulate the number of tablets which aredispensed, it is desirable to provide indexing means whereby thedispensing knob 20 can be rotated a definite extent to permit dispensingof only one tablet and the rotation thereafter stopped. In prior arttablet dispensers such indexing means usually involve springarrangements which, of course, further complicate the construction ofthe dispenser and increase the manufacturing cost thereof. In thepresent tablet dispenser the indexing is accomplished by means of acircular boss 26 which depends from the lower surface of the bottom wall12 of shell 10. This boss 26 which, for example, may be approximately ofan inch in thickness, surrounds the central aperture 13 in the bottomwall 12 and is provided with a plurality of radial notches 28 spacedequally from each other. In the embodiment shown, eight notches areprovided spaced at 45 angles from each other The number of such notches28 corresponds to the number of tablet fingers 18 on the delivery disk16. Each of the radial ribs 22 within the dispensing knob 20 has a smallupraised protuberance 29 thereon which upon rotation of the knob isreceived in a notch 28. It will be appreciated that the spacing of thenotches 28 in the rib is such that all of the protuberances 29 arereceived in a notch 28. Thus, when the dispensing knob 20 is rotated thetablet delivery disk 16 also rotates and each notch 28 in turn receivesa protuberance 29 and holds the delivery disk in such position that atablet finger 18 closes the discharge opening 14 thereby preventing thedischarge of tablets. Further rotation of the dispensing knob by meansof a slight manual pressure forces the protuberances 29 out of thenotches 28 permitting the dispensing knob 20 and tablet delivery disk 16to turn freely until each protuberance falls into the succeeding notch.In the meantime, the tablet fingers 18 on disk 16 have carried a tabletinto registry with discharge opening 14 through which it falls into thedispensing knob 20 and finally out through the opening 21 therein intothe hand of the user. As the protuberances 29 fall into each successivenotch 28 a clicking noise is heard thereby audibly signaling the tabletuser that the knob has undergone sufficient rotation for delivery of onetablet.

The tablet dispenser of this invention is characterized by itssimplicity of construction with a minimum number of parts, all of whichcan be molded from a variety of light plastic materials known to theart. The tablet dispenser can be positioned at a desired location suchas on a wall by means of the tapered lug 30 on the shell which isadapted for slidable engagement with a complementary bracket.

Those modifications and equivalents which fall within the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims are to be considered partof the invention.

I claim:

1. A dispenser for tablets and the like comprising a cylindricalreceptacle for the tablets having an open top and a bottom wall therein,a removable cover of a size to close the top of said receptacle, saidbottom wall having a centrally located aperture therein and a tabletdischarge opening adjacent to the circumference thereof, a rotatabletablet delivery disk within said receptacle having a plurality ofprojecting fingers thereon along the circumference thereof and having abushing depending therefrom of a size sutficient to extend through thecentral opening of said bottom wall, a rotatable dispensing knob havinga centrally supported hub adapted to be journaled on said bushing andrigidly joined thereto whereby said dispensing knob and tablet deliverydisk may be rotated simultaneously, the said hub being supported by aplurality of radial ribs, a boss portion having a plurality of notchestherein depending from the bottom wall of said receptacle andsurrounding said central opening therein, the radial ribs which supportsaid hub having on the upper surface thereof upwardly extendingprojections which are received in the notches within the boss portionupon rotation of said dispensing knob.

2. A dispenser for the tablets and the like comprising a taperedcylindrical receptacle for the tablets having an open top and a bottomWall therein, a removable cover of a size to close the top of saidreceptacle, said bottom wall having a centrally located aperture thereinand a tablet discharge opening adjacent to the circumference thereof, arotatable dome-shaped tablet delivery disk within said receptacle havinga plurality of projecting fingers thereon along the circumferencethereof and having a bushing depending therefrom of a size sufiicient toextend through the central opening of said bottom wall, a

rotatable cup-shaped dispensing knob having a centrally supported hubadapted to be journaled on said bushing and rigidly joined theretowhereby said dispensing knob and said tablet delivery disk may berotated simultaneously, the said hub being supported by a plurality ofradial ribs, a boss portion having a plurality of notches thereindepending from the bottom wall of said receptacle and surrounding saidcentral opening therein, the radial ribs which support said hub havingon the upper surface thereof upwardly extending projections which arereceived in the notches within said boss portion upon rotation of saiddispensing knob.

3. A dispenser for tablets and the like comprising a tapered cylindricalreceptacle for the tablets having an open top and a bottom wall therein,a removable cover of a size to close the top of said receptacle, saidbottom wall having a centrally lcated aperture therein and a tabletdischarge opening adjacent to the circumference thereof, a rotatabledome-shaped tablet delivery disk within said receptacle having eightprojecting fingers thereon along the circumference thereof and having abushing depending therefrom of a size sufiicient to extend through thecentral opening of said bottom wall, a rotatable cup-shaped dispensingknob having a centrally supported hub adapted to be journaled on saidbushing and rigidly joined thereto whereby said dispensing knob and saidtablet delivery disk may be rotated simultaneously, the said hub beingsupported by four radial ribs spaced 90 from each other, a boss portionhaving eight notches therein depending from the bottom Wall of saidreceptacle and surrounding said central opening therein, the radial ribswhich support said hub having on'the the upper surface thereof upwardlyextending projections which are received in the notches within said bossportion upon rotation of said knob.

4. A dispenser for tablets and the like comprising a cylindricalreceptacle for the tablets having an open top and a bottom wall therein,a removable cover of a size to close the top of said receptacle, saidbottom wall having a centrally located aperture therein and a tabletdischarge opening adjacent to the circumference thereof, a rotatabletablet delivery disk within said receptacle having a plurality ofprojecting fingers thereon along the circumference thereof and having abushing depending therefrom of a size sufiicient to extend through thecentral opening of said bottom wall, said bushing having an openingtherein for reception of a screw, a rotatable dispensing knob having acentrally supported hub adapted to be journaled on said bushing andhaving a vertical opening therein for reception of a screw, the said hubbeing supported by a plurality of radial ribs, a boss portion having aplurality of notches therein depending from the bottom wall of saidreceptacle and surrounding said central opening therein, the radial ribswhich support said hub having on the upper surface thereof upwardlyextending projections which are received in the notches Within said bossportion upon rotation of said dispensing knob, and screw means rigidlyjoining said rotatable dispensing knob and said tablet delivery diskwhereby both are caused to rotate simultaneously.

5. A dispenser for tablets and the like comprising a cylindricalreceptacle for the tablets having an open top and a bottom wall therein,a mounting bracket integrally attached to the exterior surface of saidcylindrical receptacle, a removable cover of a size to close the top ofsaid receptacle, said bottom wall having a centrally located aperturetherein and a tablet discharge opening adjacent to the circumferencethereof, a shield mmber disposed within and integralwith the interior ofsaid receptacle over said discharge opening, a rotatable tablet deliverydisk within said receptacle having a plurality of projecting fingersthereon along the circumference thereof and having a bushing dependingtherefrom of a size sufiicient to extend through the central opening ofsaid bottom wall, a rotatable dispensing knob having a cellitrallysupported hub adapted to be journalled on said bushing and rigidlyjoined thereto whereby said dispensing knob and tablet delivery disk maybe rotated simultaneously, the said hub being supported by a pluralityof radial ribs, a boss portion having a plurality of notches thereindepending from the bottom wall of said receptacle and surrounding saidcentral opening therein, the radial ribs which support said hub havingon the upper surface thereof upwardly extending projections which arereceived in the notches within the boss portion upon rotation of saiddispensing knob.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gadenne 221266 X SAMUEL F.COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

1. A DISPENSER FOR TABLETS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A CYLINDRICALRECEPTACLE FOR THE TABLETS HAVING AN OPEN TOP AND A BOTTOM WALL THEREIN,A REMOVABLE COVER OF A SIZE TO CLOSE THE TOP OF SAID RECEPTACLE, SAIDBOTTOM WALL HAVING A CENTRALLY LOCATED APERTURE THEREIN AND A TABLETDISCHARGE OPENING ADJACENT TO THE CIRCUMFERENCE THEREOF, A ROTATABLETABLET DELIVERY DISK WITHIN SAID RECEPTACLE HAVING A PLURALITY OFPROJECTING FINGERS THEREON ALONG THE CIRCUMFERENCE THEREOF AND HAVING ABUSHING DEPENDING THEREFROM OF A SIZE SUFFICIENT TO EXTEND THROUGH THECENTRAL OPENING OF SAID BOTTOM WALL, A ROTATABLE DISPENSING KNOB HAVINGA CENTRALLY SUPPORTED HUB ADAPTED TO BE JOURNALED ON SAID BUSHING ANDRIGIDLY JOINED THERETO WHEREBY SAID DISPENSING KNOB AND TABLET DELIVERYDISK MAY BE ROTATED SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE SAID HUB BEING SUPPORTED BY APLURALITY OF RADIAL RIBS, A BOSS PORTION HAVING A PLURALITY OF NOTCHESTHEREIN DEPENDING FROM THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID RECEPTACLE ANDSURROUNDING SAID CENTRAL OPENING THEREIN, THE RADIAL RIBS WHICH SUPPORTSAID HUB HAVING ON THE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF UPWARDLY EXTENDINGPROJECTIONS WHICH ARE RECEIVED IN THE NOTCHES WITHIN THE BOSS PORTIONUPON ROTATION OF SAID DISPENSING KNOB.